Coin segregator for vending machines



March 10, 1931.

s. 'r. ALLEN 1,

COIN SEGREGATOR FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed May 21, 1929 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 FIGJ. F/6.2.

59 5? 7 52 i 54 u .8 fill IE5 l 1 rs "5; 4 22 X I I 1- 1 I 76 'c a 'n 1 132/3 2 A 32 4 33 v 4'5 4? n /4a 16 I JIZI I I .1 U I I I I! 2 INVENTOR s. I ALLEN A TTORNfYS March 10, 1931. 5, 1-, ALLEN COIN SEGREGATOR FDR VENDING MACHINES z Sheets-Sheet 2 5 R mm m NL R E m W 1 IT. A S 6 m 7 '6 [6 B 4 I8 8 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 entree stars SHERMAN T. ALLEN, OF BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA com sncunen roa non VENDING lv aonnvns Application filed May 21,

This invention relates to coin-controlled mechanisms, and hasfor an object the provision of adevice adaptedto be used in conjunction with any appropriate type of coin-con- 5 trolled mechanism, and capable of dividing the total number of coins received by the machine, to deposit a portion thereof into each of a plurality of receptacles.

A furtherobject is the provision of a coin l segregator adapted to divide the total number of coins receivedthereby, between a plurality of receptacles, and which isadapted to be so designed that the receptacles are individually accessible, i. e., that any authorized persons l may remove the coins from the receptacles,

and the contents of'each receptacle is. accessible only to di-iieren't authorized persons.

A more detailed object is the provision of a coin segregator which is adapted to deflect 2 a predetermined proportionate part of the total number of coins into-one of a plurality of receptacles. lt ith this object in view, the coin segregator lends itself to that type of coin-controlled vending and weighing machines and the like, which are made ac cessible' to the public by being installeo in public places such as in stores, railw ay, depots, and in similar locations, under which circumstances, the occupant of the property upon 3 which the machine is installed, is to receive a certain percentage of the total receipts of the machine. The segregator may be" so designed that it will deflect into a separate receptacle, a proportionate part of the total 3, number of coins, as determined by the commission to be received by the occupant of the premises; and the occupant may he given custody ofthe key or other means of access to the compartment into which such coins D are deflected, with the result that he is enabled to remove his share of the machines receipts at any time, without the necessity of the owner of the machine being present. It is obvious that a coin segregator having such characteristics, will have a wide range of utility,

and will be readily adaptable for use in conjunction with many different coin-controlled machines. Furthermore, the coin segregator will serve to prevent any dishonesty arising 3 in the division, of the; machines. receipts, be

1929. Serial No. 364,777.

tween the owner of the machine and the 0ccupant of the premises.

A furtherobject is the-provision of a coin segregator as described, in which the proportionate part of the total number of coins to be directed intov any one of a plurality of receptacles, may be readily altered as oocasion demands.

A still further object is the-provision of a coin segregating machine of the general, class 09 described, in which the means for moving the coin deflector, are energized by the coin itself, as it passes through the coin chute leading to the deflector. With this object in view, the device of the present invention is an improvement over the device oi my copending application, Serial No. 323,374, filed Decem ber 3, 1928, in which the deflecting means receives its energy from a moving clement associated with the vending or weighing (5) mechanism.

A still further object is the pro ision of coin energized deflecting means as described, in which additional means are provided for energizing the deflector to the same extent, 7.? regardless of the size or denomination of coin; deposited into the coin chute. It has been found that vending and weighing machinesdesigned to be operated automatically after a coin of certain denomination has 89 been deposited therein, frequently receive coins'of a higher denomination for example, the total receipts of automatic weighing machines designed to print or indicate the weight ofthe mac-hines operator after he deposits a penny therein, are made up of five and ten :cent pieces, and even twenty-five cent pieces. The reason for thisis that very frequently a person desires to ascertain his weight, and finds that he does not have with him a coin of the proper denomination; but rather than go to the trouble of securing the proper coin, deposits in the machine, a coin of thenext higher denomination within his possession. So frequently does this happen in the case of vending and weighing machines which are installed in railway depots and similar locations where the machines patrons frequentl haras ed f r lack of time to i secure change for the larger coin, that fewer pennies than five and ten cent pieces, are received by a machine capable of being operated by a penny.

A still further object is the provision of a coin segregator having the characteristics above set forth, which is composed of 1. very few constituent parts, each of which is of a very simple nature, with the result that the entire segrcgator may be manufactured at minimum of cost and still will be capable of operating with a high degree of accuracy and eliiciency. Furthermore, each of the parts of the machine is readily accessible and lends itself toward being readily replaceable in the event of breakage or undue wear.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken through the casing of a machine and showing one modification of the segregating mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a compound, vertical sectional view, the planes of section being taken upon the lines 22 of Fig. 1, with the direction of view as indicated;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a slightly modified form of segregating mechanism Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, the plane of section being taken upon the line 1-4 of Fig. 3, with the direction of view as shown by the arrows.

In terms of broad inclusion, the coin segre gator of the present invention, comprises a movable deflector operatively mounted in proper position in respect to a coin chute, and suitably associated with the proper mechanism for moving the deflector so as to direct into different paths, the successive coins passing through the chute, the means for moving the deflector being energized by the coins themselves, in passing through he chute.

Specifically describing the embodiment of the invention shown upon Figs. 1 and 2, the segregating mechanism is encased within a suitable housing 6. A coin chute 7 is defined by one side wall 8 and a partition 9 extending downwards from the top 11, in parallelism ith the side 8. To facilitate the insertion of a coin into the coin chute 7, a suitable lip 12 extends from the front and communicates with the upper end of the chute 7, through a slot 1 1.

The coin chute 7 extends downwards and terminates adjacent an opening 16 in the side wall 8 normally closed by a removable cover plate 17, the purpose of which is to permit access to the operative parts of the segregating mechanism.

A coin deflector 18 preferably in the form of a flattened tube coinciding in cross sectional area and configuration, to the coin chute 7, is pivotally mounted as by pins 19 preferably to the lower edge of the partition 9, the parts being so arranged that coins passing through the chute 7 will enter and pass through the deflector 18. Another partition 21 extends downwards from adjacent the lower end of the deflector 18, to divide the bottom of the housing (3 into two receptacles 22 and 23. The upper edge 2% of the partition 21, is spaced from the side wall 8 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the coin chute 7 and of the deflector 18 which has associated therewith, a coil spring 26 under tension between the lower end of the pivotally mounted deflector 18 and a pin 27 rigid with the front wall 13 of the housing 6. This spring 26 normally holds the deflector 18 withdrawn so as to direct any coins passing tierethrough upon that side of the partition 21, which will result in the coins falling into the receptacle 23.

A cam wheel 31 and a ratchet wheel 32, are revolubly mounted upon a suitable pin 33 rigid with the front wall 13, and are removably held. against displacement therefrom by a headed crew 3 1 or its equivalent. The ratchet wheel 32 and the cam wheel 31 are locked together by a suitable dowel pin 36. Both the cam wheel 31 and the ratchet wheel 32, are provided with a plurality or projections or ratchet teeth 37 and 38 respectively, the projections 37 being spaced however, such a distance apart, that the total number of ratchet teeth 37 is a predetermined fractional part of the total number of ratchet teeth 38. In the embodiment shown, there are four times as many teeth 38 as teeth 37, with the result that the angular separation of the teeth 38, is one quarter that of the teeth 37.

follower 41 is mounted for reciprocation within a suitable bracket 12 rigid with the front wa l 13 and is pivotally connected to the deflector 18 as by a pin 13 engaged within a lug 11 carried by the deflector 18. The head 4.6 of the follower 4E1, normally lies in the path of the projections 37 of the cam wheel 31 as the wheel rotates, with the result that the head 46 is engaged by each of the projections 37 to force the follower 11 radially outwards in respect to the cam wheel, pressing the reflector 18 in pivotal movement to that position in which a coin passing therethrough, will fall upon the opposite side of the partition 21 and into the receptacle 22.

Means are provided for rotating the wheels 31 and 32 a distance equal to the angular separation of the teeth 38, each time a coin is deposited in the coin chute 7 and this rotating means is so arranged. that it receives its energy from. the coin itself, as it is pushed from the lip 12 intothe coin: chute 7. A trigger 51 is .pivotally mounted upon the front wall 13 as by a pin 52, and has a coin-engaging portion 53 extending through a slot 54 in the partition 9 into the coin chute Z 11 plate 56 preferably of resilient material, also extends through the slot 5%, into the coin chute 7, from a bracket 57 by means of which the inner end of the plate 56 is rigidly attached to the front wall 13. The plate 56, and portion 530i the trigger 51, are in substantial parallelism and are spaced a distance slightly less than the smallest coin the machine is liable to receive, with the result that as a coin is pressed between these plates,vthe trigger 51 is pressed downwards. However,

should a larger coin be inserted between the plates, the trigger 51 will be pressed downwar :ls the same distance as determined by a stop pin 58 adapted to be engaged by the trigger 51 at its lowest extreme of movement, after which any further separation of the plates, will be taken up by the resiliency of the upper plate 56. A second step pin 59 may be provided to limit the upward movement of the resilient plate 56.

A push rod 61 is pivotally connected as by a pin '62, to the trigger 51, and extends downward therefrom so that its lower end may be pivotally connected to one end of a bell crank 63 which is pivoted as by a pin 64:, to the frontwall 1.3, and to the other end of which,

a pawl 66 is pivoted. The pawl 66 extends substantially horizontally so that its head 67 engages the periphery of the ratchet wheel 32, and presses thereupon due to its own weight.

The parts are so. proportioned and arranged, that as the trigger 51 is pressed downwards far enough to engage the stop 53, the head 65? of the pawl 66, will rotate the ratchet wheel 32 a distance equal to,,or slightly greater than the angular separation of the ratchet teeth 38; and as the trigger 51 rises again to starting position, the head 67 of the pawl 66, will ride over the ratchet tooth 31 next adjacent the tooth against which the head has been engaged, and tall there behind in readiness to-again impart rotary movement to the ratchet wheel 32'upon subsequent defiection of the trigger 51. Reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 32, is prevented by a second pawl 68 pivotally mounted as by a pin 69 upon. the front wall 13, and urged by a suitable spring 71, into engagement with the periphery of the ratchet wheel 32. The return movement of the trigger 51 is effected by means of coil spring 72 under tension. between the trigger 51 and the top wall 11 of the housing v6; and the upward stroke of the trigger 51 is limited by a stop pin 73 also rigid with the tront'wall 13.

Operation When a coin is inserted within the lip 12 and pressed therefrom into the coin chute through the slot 14, it will press the trigger 51 downwards, inasmuch as the spring be tween the horizontal portion 53 of the trigger and the plate 56, is restricted for that purpose. As explained hereinabove, the same degree of motion of the trigger '51 will be attained, regardless of the size of coinwithin limits employed, inasmuch as the spring 56 will yield away from the horizontal portion 53 of the trigger, should a larger coin beemployed. This downward motion of the trigger 51, will cause the push rod 61 to be pressed downwards, turning the bell crank 63' about its pivot pin 64:, and pushing the pawl 66 forward to advance the ratchet wheel 32 a'distance equal to, or slightly greater than, the angular separation of two of the ratchet teeth 38, this degree of rotation of the wheel being determined by the proper positioning of the stop' pin 58 against which the trigger 51 engages at the lowermost extreme of itsv movement. As the coinpasses the horizontal portion 53, it drops into and through the coin chute 7, and thence through the coin deflector 18 upon that side of the partition 21 determined by the positioning of the deflector 18. Normally, the deflector 18 is at the position indicated upon Fig. 1 wherein the coin is dropped to the rightv as viewed in that figurev of the partition, and falls into the receptacle 23. Fhrthermore, as the coin passes the trigger 51, the spring 72 returns the trigger and pawl 6.6. to initial position in readiness for its subsequent operation by another coin.

This. motion of the ratchet wheel 32 effects similar rotation of the cam wheel 31, inasmuch as they are connected ior rotary movement together. Obviously, therefore, when the cam wheel 31. has had this rotary movement imparted 'toit a sufficient number of times, one of the projections 37 will be brought closely adjacent the head .16 of the follower 41. Upon the subsequent insertion of a coin, the ratchet wheel and cam wheel will again haverotary movement imparted thereto, whereupon that projection will press the follower41 radially outwards from the cam wheel, swinging. the deflector aboutits pivot 19, so that its lower: endis disposed upon the opposite side of the upper end of the partition '21, with the result that as the coin, falling from the horizontal portion 53 of thetrigger 51, will pass through thechute 7', through the del'lector 18', and to the left of the partition,v and into the. otherrecepe tacle 22. The springfZQ willthen return the trigger and pawl to initial position, so that when .a subsequent coin is deposited, the cam wheel will be turned to withdrawthe pro.-

jection from the follower and permit the,

spring 26 to draw the deflector 18 back to the right side of the partition 21 before that same coin falls through the deflector.

It is obvious that the proportionate number of teeth 38 in respect to the number of projections 37, may be altered. in the modification shown, there being four times as many teeth 38 as there are projections 37, one-fourth of the total number of coins deposited in the coin chute, will be collected within the receptacle 22, and threefourths within the receptacle 23. If desired, access to these two receptacles may be controlled by separate looks, so that different authorized persons may have access to the respective contents thereof.

Inasmuch as the coin segregating device is adapted for use in conjunction with any coin-controlled mechanism, I have shown a portion of a conventional tripping device comprising a shaft 76 extending through the of rotary movement to the shaft 76, which is necessary to start the vending or weighing mechanism in motion.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a modified form of deflector activating means is there shown. Here the coin chute 91 extends straight downward from the top 92 of the housing 93; and the trigger is in the form of a plate 94 closing an aperture 96 in the side of the coin chute 91, at some distance below the top thereof. This plate 94 is pivotally mounted adjacent its upper end, upon a pivot pin 97 carried by suitable brackets 98 rigid with the coin chute 91. A counterweight 99 is carried by the plate 94 in such position that the plate 94 is yieldably retained substantially vertical, in which position it is shown upon Fig. 3.

A projection 101 on the inner face of the plate 94, is of such proportions that it is adapted to be engaged by the smallest coin 102 which the coin chute 91 is liable to receive. A second aperture 103 is provided in the coin chute 91, opposite the aperture 96, and through this aperture 103, a finger 104 extends, this finger being carried by a resilient plate 106 riveted or otherwise securely attached to the coin chute 91. The plate 106 is so designed that it is suffioiently stiif to press the trigger 94 outwards to the completion of its stroke before the plate 106 will bend; but after the trigger 94 engages a stop pin 107 determining the extent of its out ward movement, the plate 106 will give and permit the coin 102 to drop therepast, even though that coin is larger than the smallest coin necessary to activate the plate 94.

A pawl 111 is pivoted as by a pin 112 to a bracket 113 carried by the trigger 94, and the head 114 of the pawl 111, is pressed by its own weight upon the toothed periphery of a ratchet Wheel 116. This wheel 116, as well as a cam wheel 117 connected thereto for rotary movement therewith, is revolubly mounted upon a suitable pin 118 upon which the both wheels are removably retained through the expedient of a headed screw 119. The cam wheel 117 carries a plurality of projections 121, the number of which is a predetermined proportionate part of the number of ratchet teeth 122 of the ratchet wheel 116.

A follower 126 is pivoted as by a pin 127 to the housing, one end 128 of the follower, lying in the path of the projections 121 as the cam wheel 117 turns, so that this end 128 is raised as each projection 121 passes thereunder. The other end 129 of the follower 126, is connected by means of a link 131, to an arm 132 which is rigid with a deflector 133 pivotally mounted as a continuation of the coin chute 91. When the parts are in the position indicated in full lines upon Fig. 3, a coin passing through the coin chute and deflector 133, will drop on the right hand side of a partition 134 extending upwards from the bottom 136 of the housing and into a receptacle 137 whereas when the parts are in the position indicated in dashed lines, a coin passing through the chute 91 and deflector 133, will drop upon the left hand side of the partition 134 and into the receptacle 138.

As a coin falls through the chute 91 and passes through the restricted space between the finger 104 and projection 101, the trigger 94 is pressed outwards, the distance that the triggermoves, being the same regardless of the size of coin, within limits, through the expedient of the yielding plate 106. This outward movement of the trigger 94, will effect rotation of the ratchet wheel 116 and cam wheel 117, a distance equal to, or slightly greater than the angular separation of two of the ratchet teeth 122. When a sufficient number of coins have been deposited to bring one of the projections 121 closely adjacent the head 128 of the follower 126, the next succeeding coin will result in again turning the wheels 116 and 117, thus causing a projection 121 to raise the end 128 of the follower 126, lowering the end 129 and swinging the deflector 133 to the dashed line position, so that the same coin that has effected the last rotary movement of the wheels, falls into the receptacle 138. When the next coin is deposited, the wheels are again moved to withdraw the projection 121 from the head 128, permitting the deflector 133 to return to full line position so that this coin will fall into the receptacle 137 as well as the subsequent coins, until such time as the next adjacent projection 121 comes into engagement with, and raises the head 128 of the follower 126.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as herein described, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a cam, a follower connected to said deflector and extending adjacent said cam to be moved thereby when the cam has moved a predetermined distance, and means actuated by a coin in passing through said chute for moving said cam, a predetermined fractional part of the distance necessary to actuate said follower.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a revolubly mounted cam having a plurality of spaced projections thereon, a follower connected to said deflector and extending into the path of said projections, and means actuated by a coin in passing through said chute for imparting rotary movement to said cam.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a revolubly mounted cam having a plurality of spaced projections thereon, a follower connected to said deflector and extending into the path of said projections, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement with said cam, a pawl associated with said wheel and a trigger interposed within said chute and operably connected to said pawl to eflect rotary movement of the wheel and cam when a coin passes through said chute.

1. A device of the class described, comprising a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a revolubly mounted cam having a plurality of spaced projections thereon, a follower connected to said deflector and extending into the path of said projections, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement with said cam, a pawl associated with said wheel, a trigger interposed within 6. A device of the-class described, compris ing a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a revolubly mounted cam having a plurality of spaced projections thereon, and extending into the path of said projections, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotary movement with said cam, a pawl associated with said wheel, a trigger interposed within said chute and operably connected to said pawl to effect rotary movement of the wheelv and cam when a coin passes through said chute, and a resiliently mounted plate interposed in said chute opposite said trigger and spaced therefrom a distance less than the diameter of the smallest coin to be deposited in the chute.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, a trigger projecting into said chute, means operably associated with said trigger and said deflector for moving the deflector by movement of the trigger, and a resiliently mounted plate interposed in said chute opposite said trigger and spaced therefrom a distance less from the diameter of the smallest coin to be deposited in the chute.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

SHERMAN T. ALLEN.

said chute and operably connected to said pawl to effect rotary movement of the wheel and cam when a coin passes through said chute, and means limiting to a predetermined fractional part of the angular separation of said projections, the angular distance through which the cam is turned upon each actuation thereof.

5. In a coin segregator, a coin chute, a movable deflector associated therewith, coin energized means for altering the position of said deflector, and means associated with the deflector moving means for effecting the same travel thereof when energized by different sized coins.

a follower connected to said deflector 

